Nevis and Joseph O'Brien are well clear at Leopardstown © Photo Healy Racing
For the fourth year in a row Aidan O’Brien won the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden over a mile at Leopardstown - this time with Nevis at 4/6.
The favourite was fully expected to reverse form with Mister Aviation who beat him by three and a half lengths last time when the pair finished third and fourth at the Curragh on 1 July.
Mister Aviation went off at 15/8, but after being driven along by Wayne Lordan in fifth three furlongs out he stayed on for third, behind Pat Shanahan’s newcomer Ralston Road (16/1 from 28/1 in the morning), who ran a nice race to come in second beaten under Colm O'Donoghue.
Neither could get to the winner who made all under Joseph O’Brien and stretched clear from a furlong out to win easily by three lengths.
“He came on from his first run. It wasn’t ideal to make the running but when there’s no pace you have to make the best of it,” Joseph O’Brien said.
“He’s a nice horse and going the right way.”
Again Tote players were well rewarded as the winner paid 11/10 there.
Nevis and Mister Aviation both hold entries in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh in September.
Stan James have introduced Nevis at 20/1 for next year’s Epsom Derby.
Camelot, who is gunning for the triple crown, won this race as a two-year-old last year for the O’Briens.
Michael Graham (on course reporting by Gary Carson)
